Final Issue - This publication is being replaced by Population by Age and Sex, Australia (Cat. No. 3235.6.55.001) Companion Data.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

TOTAL POPULATION

The estimated resident population of Tasmania as at 30 June 2000 was 470,376, a decrease of 427 since June 1999. The population has been in decline since 30 September 1996 when the population reached its highest level of 474,514. The growth rate for 1999-00 was -0.09%, compared with a growth rate of -0.19% for 1998-99.

Six statistical subdivisions lost population for 1999-00. The decreases were Greater Hobart (161 or 0.1%), Central North (120 or 0.6%), North Eastern (37 or 0.3%), Burnie-Devonport (147 or 0.2%), North Western Rural (30 or 0.1%) and Lyell (102 or 1.8%). Increases were experienced in Southern (102 or 0.3%) and Greater Launceston (68 or 0.1%).

MEDIAN AGE

The median age of the estimated resident population of Tasmania as at 30 June 2000 was 36.5, an increase of 0.5 years on the 36.0 for 30 June 1999, and 1.3 years higher than the Australian median age of 35.2 years. The median age for Tasmanian males increased from 35.3 at 30 June 1999 to 35.7 at 30 June 2000. The equivalent figures for Tasmanian females were 36.8 in 1999 and 37.2 in 2000.

The highest median age among the subdivisions was in North Eastern (39.3 years), followed by Southern (37.5 years) and Central North (37.4 years). The lowest median ages were recorded by Lyell (31.9 years) and North Western Rural (34.9 years).

The local government areas with the highest median ages were Glamorgan/Spring Bay (42.1 years), Break O'Day (41.4 years), Tasman (41.1 years), Flinders (40.6 years) and Latrobe (39.3 years). Local government areas with the lowest median ages included Brighton (29.0 years), West Coast (31.9 years), Circular Head (33.1 years), George Town (34.7) and Sorell (34.9 years).

Local government areas with the highest median ages for females were Glamorgan/Spring Bay (42.4 years), Break O'Day (40.8 years), Latrobe (39.5 years), Clarence (39.3 years), Tasman (39.3 years). Local government areas with the lowest median ages for females included Brighton (29.2 years), West Coast (33.0 years), Circular Head (33.4 years and George Town (34.5 years).

AGE STRUCTURE

Population aged 0-14 years

The population aged 0-14 years was estimated to be 98,780 persons, or 21.0% of the population of Tasmania at 30 June 2000, compared with 106,947 persons (23.1%) in 1990. 51.2% of those aged 0-14 years were males.

The subdivision with the highest proportion of its population in the 0-14 age group was Lyell (25.7%), followed by North Western Rural (24.1%) and Southern (22.6%). Greater Hobart (20.2%) and Greater Launceston (20.4%) had the lowest proportions.

The local government areas with the highest proportion of children aged 0-14 years were Brighton (29.0%), West Coast (25.7%), Sorell (25.3%) and Circular Head (24.5%). The local government areas of Hobart (15.6%), Latrobe (19.0%), Launceston (19.1%), Glenorchy (19.6%) and Glamorgan/Spring Bay (19.9%) were estimated to have had the lowest proportions of children aged 0-14 years.

Population aged 15-64 years

The population aged 15-64 years was estimated to be 307,648 persons, or 65.4% of the population of Tasmania at 30 June 2000, compared with 301,316 persons (65.2%) in 1990. 49.7% of those aged 15-64 years were males.

The subdivision of Lyell had the highest proportion of its population in the 15-64 age group (66.5%), followed by Greater Hobart (66.2%), North Western Rural (66.0%) and Central North (65.7%). North Eastern had the lowest proportion (62.0%).

The local government areas with the highest proportion aged 15-64 years were Hobart (70.4%), George Town (66.5%), West Coast (66.5%), Kentish (66.4%), Latrobe (66.2%) and Burnie (66.0%). The local government areas of Dorset (61.5%), Break O'Day (62.3%) and Glamorgan/Spring Bay (62.5%) were estimated to have the lowest proportions of their populations aged 15-64 years.

Population aged 65 years and over

The 65-years-and-over age group was estimated to be 63,948 persons, or 13.6% of the population of Tasmania at 30 June 2000, compared with 53,925 persons (11.7%) in 1990. 43.7% of those aged 65 years and over were males.

Between 1999 and 2000, the number of persons aged 65 and over grew in all subdivisions.

The subdivision with the highest proportion of its population in the 65-year-and-over age group was North Eastern (15.7%), followed by Burnie-Devonport (14.9%) and Greater Launceston (14.3%). Lyell had the lowest proportion (7.8%).

Glamorgan/Spring Bay had the highest proportion of its population aged 65 years and over (17.6%) followed by Glenorchy (16.1%) and Break O'Day (16.2%). Lowest proportions were recorded by Brighton (5.2%), West Coast (7.8%), Circular Head (10.7%) and Kentish (11.0%).

Population aged 85 years and over

The population aged 85 years and over in Tasmania was estimated to be 6,825 persons, or 1.5% of the population at 30 June 2000, compared with 3,961 persons (0.9%) in 1990. 30.4% of those aged 85 years and over were males.

The subdivisions with the highest proportion of their population in the 85-years-and-over age group were Burnie-Devonport (1.6%) and Greater Launceston (1.6%). Lowest proportions were recorded by Lyell (0.5%) and North Western Rural (1.0%).

Hobart and Tasman had the highest proportions of their populations aged 85 years and over (2.0%) followed by Launceston (1.9%), Central Coast (1.8%), Flinders (1.8%) and Central Highlands (1.8%). Lowest proportions were recorded by West Coast (0.5%), Brighton (0.7%), Sorell (0.8%) and Southern Midlands (0.8%).

GENDER

At 30 June 2000 there were 7,318 more females than males in Tasmania (103.2 females for every 100 males). In 1990 there were only 3,676 more females than males (101.6 females for every 100 males).

The subdivision with the highest number of females per 100 males was Burnie-Devonport (106.3) followed by Greater Hobart (105.6) and Greater Launceston (105.2). Lyell (84.3) and North Western Rural (93.4) had the lowest numbers.

The local government areas with the highest number of females per 100 males were Devonport (108.6), Glenorchy (108.0), Hobart (107.2) and Launceston (106.7). The local government areas of Central Highlands (80.6), West Coast (84.3), Flinders (87.7) and King Island (92.1) were estimated to have had the lowest numbers of females per 100 males.

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